Renting a storage unit is a simple, cost-effective way to keep your belongings safe while you're moving or away from home. Following a few simple tips can also help to keep the cost of self-storage manageable.

Store only what you need

Before you put your belongings into storage, make sure you're not storing anything you're simply going to throw away after you take it out. Sell, give away or simply dispose of clothes you aren't going to wear again, books you'll never read and anything else that's just going to take up space unnecessarily. Keeping your storage space to a minimum will reduce the size — and therefore the cost — of the storage locker you need to rent. 

Look outside your area

If you're going to be visiting your storage unit frequently, you obviously want to choose a nearby one. If you're only going to be putting items in and then removing them at the end of your stay, though, it might be worthwhile looking into storage spaces a little further away. Storage costs can vary a lot, and storage spaces outside major cities can be much more affordable than their urban counterparts. If you don't mind lengthening your drive a little, you can save some money by choosing a storage facility in a less-busy area. 

Use your own shelving

Most storage units come without shelving, so you'll need to provide your own to make the most efficient use of the space. If you have a set of metal shelves, you should set it up in your storage space, bearing in mind the time and tools you'll need to assemble it. Alternatively, if you're storing furniture such as bookcases, use them to store boxes and other items.

Pack with bedding

When you're packing for storage, you can go through a lot of bubble wrap and other packing materials. Bedding and clothing make great padding, at no extra cost. Use blankets to wrap tabletops and other furniture you don't want scratched; use clothes, towels and other soft items to fill out boxes of books or to wrap fragile objects.  

Use household items

Clothes and other items can develop a bit of a musty smell when stored over a long period. To combat this odour, just pack a dryer sheet in the box with your clothes to keep them smelling fresh. Similarly, you can fight damp and odours with other household items; place an opened box of baking soda in your storage unit to fight that musty smell.